Through the years, Going Concern has chronicled accountants and finance chiefs getting caught doing really shitty things. But if this accountant is found guilty of the charges levied against her, this has to rank among the shittiest of the shitty.
From the Los Angeles Daily News:
A certified public accountant charged with embezzling more than $93,000 from two Girl Scouts troops, a Girl Scouts service unit and a local cancer center made her first court appearance [Oct. 11] on two felony counts filed against her this week.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gustavo Sztraicher allowed Patricia Cascione, 52, of Santa Clarita, to remain free on $20,000 bond while awaiting arraignment next Tuesday on two felony counts of embezzlement.
Prosecutors are expected to ask then that Cascione’s bail be increased to $125,000.
So to recap: This woman not only is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, probably the pre-eminent organization for young girls, but she also allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a cancer center. A. CANCER. CENTER.
That cancer center is Beverly Hills Cancer Center, where Cascione was the CFO.
According to prosecutors, from March 1, 2013, to Feb. 13, 2017, she allegedly used funds totaling $58,863 from the Girl Scouts accounts for her personal use. Cascione then diverted $34,500 in donations from the cancer center to one of her Girl Scouts accounts in order to embezzle the money, a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office states.
Investigators had previously said Cascione worked with the Girl Scouts for 20 years, and the organization approached authorities after conducting an audit last year, according to a news report.
She was arrested on Sept. 17, 2018.
After Cascione’s arrest, the Girl Scouts issued the following statement:
“We are aware of the arrest and charges brought against a former volunteer for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles regarding the alleged mishandling or misuse of funds of two troops and a service unit in the Santa Clarita region. Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles has investigated this incident and will continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing police investigation. Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles has very high standards and expectations of our volunteers and consider honesty one of the hallmarks of Girl Scouts—it is our mission to instill and inspire in girls the courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place.”
Officials from Beverly Hills Cancer Center could not be reached for comment. Cascione could not be reached for comment.
Cascione faces a possible maximum penalty of up to three years and eight months in prison, if convicted.
If she’s found guilty, her sentence is not long enough.
